“Hualien” from Island / Country (2014)
Poem by Chen Li
English translation by Yi-Yin Lee

Chase the wave, Widang; follow the wave to the sea.
Hayhohai! Run to the heavy, shinning deep ocean and Kuroshio.
In the backyard, Hohaiyan, race waves like black sheep and white sheep,
to and fro.
In the backyard stand the huge mountain and solid earth.
Yearn and search for what lies beyond.
Company by breathing, by laughing, and by waving.
Delightful waves return to the ocean crying for the delight.
The panorama of the sea forecasts a sunny day. Chase the wave.